Towards professionalisation of music therapy: A model of training and certification in Poland

Abstract

Some countries have developed music therapy structures and built good relations between music therapists and other professionals, while others have only just embarked upon this process. In particular, countries and regions where music therapy is not yet well established are struggling with various challenges: How to organise music therapists’ training, develop the discipline and become a partner for national healthcare systems. Formulating answers is not easy and may necessitate a long-term process. In this article I present the sustainable development model for music therapy where I present my perspectives on how an effective system may enable useful structures to be established, training and practice to be enhanced and research and publications to be developed. This system must be flexible enough to consider specific resources, traditions, needs and culture. At the same time, however, it must include some core elements such as appropriate levels of training with internship and supervision and a system of motivation to encourage life-long development, to make it stable and grounded, and to enable its development according to standards. In the article I attempt to formulate clear answers as to how Polish music therapists have found their way to build the profession. It shows a process of training and building structures, and describes important steps that must be taken to provide solid grounds for the development of this discipline.